SEXUAL FUNCTION OF THE PARAPLEGICS
WITH A SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ERECTION AND EJACULATION
1970 Volume 61 Issue 10 Pages 1010-1016
Details
1970 Volume 61 Issue 10 Pages 1010-1016
Clinical observation on erection and ejaculation of the paraplegics was made on the patients admitted in Fukushima Rosai Hospital. In addition to clinical observation, a trial to induce erection and ejaculation on these patients was made, using a special vibration apparatus which gave stimulation to the glans penis.
The results obtained are as follows:
1) Erection. It was found to be preserved in 34 of a total of 57 cases (60%). The rate of preservation was highest in the cervical segment and a tendency of the rate being smaller was found as the lesion existed in the lower segments.
The rate of preservation of erection was higher in patients with incomplete lesion (73%) than in those with complete lesion (51%).
Erection occurred most frequently by local stimulation (76%) and other causative factors were spasm of the limb (53%), psychic stimulation (26%), filling of the bladder (16%), micturition (9%), and body motion (9%).
The period from injury to reappearence of erection was longer in the lower spinal lesion.
Erection caused by vibratory stimulation was seen in 16 (39%) of 41 cases who were given the penile stimulation. Of these, 3 had had no spontaneous erection since the injury. On the other hand, 9 cases with spontaneous erection could not be caused erection by the stimulation.
2) Relation between preservation rate of erection and cornal reflexes and types of neurogenic bladder. Anal reflex and bulbocavernosus reflexes were positive in 26 cases (76%) and 25 cases (73%) of the cases with spontaneous erection, respectively. Thirty-one cases were performed cystometry. Twenty-three cases were classified as supranuclear type of neurogenic bladder. Nineteen of these 23 cases were found to be preserved erection. Eight cases were classified as subnuclear and nuclear type, and erection of this type was found to be preserved in only 1 case.
3) Ejaculation. Of a total of 57 cases 6 cases (10%) preserved ejaculation as well as erection. Drizzling of seminal fluid was seen in 3 cases who had no erection after injury.
4) Sexual intercourse and sexual desire. Three cases of a total of 57 were tried intercourse successfully and experienced ejaculation.
Sexual intercourse was found to be desired by 53 of 57 cases.
